MISSION AND  VALUES

OUR MISSION

The First Congregational Church of Sonoma, United Church of Christ is called to be a welcoming, inclusive community of faith, gathered to worship and to share God’s love.

Our primary mission is to connect with and serve our community and world. Empowered by the spirit of God, we affirm our journey to live out the teachings of Jesus Christ, seeking peace and justice for all.

WE ARE OPEN AND AFFIRMING

As a diverse body of believers seeking to live in the light and image of God in Christ, we affirm:

That every person has worth as a special and unique creation made in God’s image.


That in the spirit of love, openness, and inclusiveness we welcome people of every age, economic status, ethnicity, gender, mental and physical ability, nationality, race, religious background and sexual orientation to participate fully in all aspects of our church’s life and ministry.


That as agents of reconciliation and wholeness, we embrace justice and seek to support all who suffer discrimination or who are disenfranchised from the religious community and society at large.


That we will continue our efforts to comprehend and appreciate more fully our different gifts.

Through grace, may our love for God and our neighbors flourish.

CHURCH COVENANT

The Members of this Church, with all the faith our Christian growth makes possible,

 

Do Covenant together in the presence of God:

  • We covenant together to open-heartedly serve and be respectful of our congregation, broader community, and Earth.
  • We agree to engage in the challenges of journeying with one another to embody the teachings of Jesus.

 

Faith Statement – We are a community of Christians who:

 

  • Believe that following the way and teachings of Jesus can lead to experiencing sacredness, wholeness, and unity of all life, even as we recognize that the Spirit moves in beneficial ways in many faith traditions.
  • Seek community that is inclusive of all people, honoring differences in theological perspective, age, race, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, class, or ability.
  • Strive for peace and justice among all people, knowing that behaving with compassion and selfless love towards one another is the fullest expression of what we believe.
  • Embrace the insights of contemporary science and strive to protect Earth and ensure its integrity and sustainability.
  • Commit to a path of lifelong learning, believing there is more value in questioning than in absolutes.

(source: ProgressiveChristianity.org)